Page 46 of Dreaming About Forever

“Not a chance. The coffee is decaf, in case you were wondering.”

“I’d love a cup.”

It seemed he was determined to do things for her, and knowing he wasn’t the type to cater to someone’s whims made his efforts even more appreciated.

He poured coffee into an off-white ceramic mug and set it on the table beside her laptop. “I guess we need to get on the road by about seven in the morning.”

Great. The interview in Denver she’d agreed to before her world turned upside down. It was one of the only commitments Lillian hadn’t erased from Alicia’s schedule for the next four weeks.

“I’ll be ready.”

Jordan knocked his knuckles against the wooden table. “Good night.”

“You’re not staying? You just made coffee.”

“Nah. The coffee was for you. You got this pitiful sad face when you realized they didn’t have coffee at the play tonight.”

Alicia swallowed. The chill in the air had brought on a craving for something warm, and she’d asked if the small concession stand had coffee. Sadly, they’d only offered water and soft drinks.

“Thank you,” she said, soft enough that he might not have heard her.

“See you early in the morning.”

“Jordan.”

He turned, and after all she’d asked of him, she hesitated to ask more.

But her curiosity won out. “What happened to your leg?”

Jordan stilled his features and held her gaze. “Nothing important.”

“It sounded important. People were concerned about you.”

For a few heartbeats, she thought he’d deny her again.

Finally, he nodded toward her laptop. “It’s in my file.” He turned and said a quick good night over his shoulder.

The loss of him echoed through the room–through her bones–but his hint spurred her into action. She opened the laptop and searched through her emails. Lillian had forwarded his extensive resume the morning before they left Los Angeles, but Alicia hadn’t actually taken the time to read all twenty pages, trusting Lillian and her team to hire a good security agent for her.

The document loaded, and she quickly scanned the words. She scrolled past a word that made her stop.

Purple Heart.

The dates he served in the Marine Corps were right above his award.

She backed out of the document and searched her inbox again. After a few key words, she landed on the one she wanted. It was an email she’d been copied on between Lillian and Jordan’s boss, Nathan Fox.

“Jordan lost part of his left leg during his time with the Marine Corps, but he has made a full recovery since the injury and has very few limitations. The prosthetic he uses is top of the line, and he is in peak physical condition, despite the dismemberment. I wouldn’t recommend him if I didn’t truly believe he was the best agent for your needs.”

The creak of the front door opening jerked her attention from the email. Her heart hammered in her chest as Vicci padded toward the kitchen.

“Hey, you. I thought you’d be asleep by now.”

Alicia slammed the laptop closed with a bit too much force. “I was just heading that way.”

Vicci peeked over the laptop and jerked her chin toward the steaming cup of coffee. “You sure? Looks like you just got settled. I won’t bother you. I’m on my way to bed myself.”

Alicia tucked her laptop under her arm and stood. “Sorry. I was going to work, but I’m really tired. Sorry about the coffee.”

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